First insulted, then also put off the pitch: A racism scandal around star striker Romelu Lukaku (29) has overshadowed the semi-final first leg in the Italian Cup between Juventus Turin and Inter Milan (1:1). Lukaku had scored for Inter by penalty in injury time to equalize and had been racially insulted "before, during and after the penalty", as his agency announced. After his goal, the Belgian was sent off with yellow-red.

Lukaku, already warned, had celebrated the equalizer after the penalty in front of the Juve fans – he saluted and put his index finger on his mouth. His advisor Michael Yormark expects the retraction of the place reference. The Italian federation should "use this opportunity to fight racism instead of punishing the victim of the abuse," it said in a statement. He also demanded an apology from Juve for the "hostile and disgusting racist insults". The second leg for a place in the Coppa Italia final will take place on 26 April in Milan.

FIFA President: Insults 'simply unacceptable'

"History repeats itself," Lukaku, who has often been racially abused, wrote on Instagram: "I hope that the league really does something this time, because this beautiful game should be enjoyed by everyone." For FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the insults were "simply unacceptable". The Swiss pleads for "strict sporting sanctions" that should "act as a deterrent".

Serie A condemned "all cases of racism and any form of discrimination in the strongest possible terms," Italy's top division said in a statement. "A few people in the stands can't ruin football and don't represent all the fans in the stadium." Those responsible should be identified and banned from the stadium "for life".

Juventus announced a cooperation with the Italian police, as the club announced, and affirmed its commitment against "racism and discrimination".

Only last weekend, the coach of Sampdoria Genoa had been insulted, most recently fans of Lazio Roma attracted attention again with massive anti-Semitic chants.